New US visa rule extends stay for international students

March 13, 2016, 2:12 PM IST

New York : The United States has changed rules for student visas by which international students will now be eligible to stay for three years after finishing their degrees for training potentially leading to employment.

Students earning degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from accredited higher education institutes and employed by employers participating in E-Verify will only be eligible for the optional practical training (OPT) program.

The new rule comes into effect from May 10, 2016, and seven months longer than the previous 17-month rule.

The extension has been made to widen the window of time to match fresh graduates with employers looking for skilled talented workers.

The students previously had to apply for an H-1B, given by lottery and capped at 65,000 with 20,000 reserved for those with advanced degrees.

As per the new rule, a STEM OPT student would not replace a full-or part-time, temporary or permanent US worker and that the salary offered would be commensurate to the American workers. (ANI)